General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon

[Nostalgistic 312]

Hello! Today, I am introducing the General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon. The F-16C is a major variant with improved cockpit avionics and new radar for the beyond-visual-range AIM-7s and AIM-120s. In short, the F-16C is an upgraded variant of the F-16A and comes with Block packages.

Overview

Aircraft: General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon

 

Role: 4th Gen Jet Fighter / Multirole Fighter/ Air Superiority Fighter

 

Snapshot:

Background

Spoiler

Production of the F-16C/D began with Block 25 to address the lacking beyond-visual-range capability since 1981. The first F-16C flew on June 19, 1984, and a series of F-16Cs were delivered to the US Air Force and were fully operational by October 1988. The introduction of F-16C featured built-in structural and wiring provisions and systems architecture that expands the multirole flexibility and grants the beyond-visual-range capability. The F-16C/D has five variants. They include Block 25, Block 30/32, Block 40/42, Block 50/52, and Block 50/52 Plus.

 

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BLOCK DESCRIPTIONS OF F-16C BELOW!

 

Block 25
 

Spoiler

Block 25 added the ability to carry AMRAAM for the F-16Cs, added ground-attack capabilities such as AGM-65 Maverick, incorporated a new radar, AN/APG-68(V), and increased the combat range. It was delivered with a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 engine which provided a thrust of 23,770 lb. The powerplant was later upgraded to the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220E.

 

Block 30/32
 

Spoiler

Block 30 designates a new engine - General Electric F110-GE-100, and Block 32 designates a new engine - Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220. The F110 provided 5,000 lb more thrust than the F100, but it is required a larger amount of air and a larger area of the air intake. The F100-PW-220 provided a thrust of 23,700 pounds, slightly less powerful than the F100-PW-200 but more reliable and less prone to stall. Block 30/32 allows the F-16C to carry AGM-45 Shrike and AGM-88 HARM. The production of Block 30/32 began in January 1986 and ended in 1989.

 

Block 40/42
 

Spoiler

Block 40 retains the engine from Block 30 - General Electric F110-GE-100; meanwhile, Block 42 retains the engine from Block 32  - Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220. Block 40/42 is sometimes referred the “Night Falcon” due to its expanded night/all-weather capabilities. The Block introduced Low-Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infra-Red for Night system, GPS, new APG-68V(5) radar, digital flight controls (replacing the old analog ones), automatic terrain following, and a capability for bombing moving ground targets. The first Block 40/42 appeared within the service during 1989 and was fitted with only the navigation pod. This Block can deploy GBU-10, GBU-12, and GBU-24 Paveway laser-guided bombs and GBU-15 precision-guided munition. The production of Block 40/42 lasted from 1988 to 1995.

 

Block 50/52
 

Spoiler

Block 50/52 is the current production of the F-16C nowadays. It incorporates new versions of the engine. Block 50 designates a new engine - F110-GE-129, and Block 52 designates a new engine - F100-PW-229. Both engines produce the almost same thrust (close to 29,000 lb). The F100-PW-229 is lighter and more powerful than earlier F100 variants. The Block was initially fitted with AN/APG-68V(5) radar and was later upgraded to AN/APG-68V(7) and AN/APG-68V(8) and was given the capability to fire new AGM-65G Maverick, new PGU-28/B 20mm cannon round, Joint Direct Attack Munition, AGM-154A/B Joint Standoff Weapon (glide bomb), and AGM-84 Harpoon antishipping missile. The Block was introduced in late 1990 and was delivered to the USAF in November 1991. The production has been ongoing since 1991.

 

Block 50/52 Plus
 

Spoiler

Block 50/52 Plus is another variant that includes special packages for the current Block 50/52 that addressed the serve and unfavorable weather conditions for the Joint Direct Attack Munition. This Block incorporates a new guidance radar that directs MK 83, MK 84, and BLU-109 bombs. It also features passive missile warning, terrain-referenced navigation, and extra fuel tanks. It incorporates APG-68(V)9 radar, the latest and advanced version of the F-16C/D radar. The production of this Block began in 1991 and is still ongoing.

 

Specifications

 

General Characteristics

• Crew: 1 (Pilot)
• Length: 49 feet and 4 inches (15.0368 meters)
• Height:  16 feet and 8.5 inches (5.0927 meters)
• Wingspan: 31 feet (9.4488 meters)
• Wing Area: 300 square feet (91.44 square meters)
• Powerplant: a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200/220/220E/229 or a General Electric F110-GE-100/129
• Empty Weight: 18,238 lb (8,272.6176 kilograms)
• Gross Weight: 48,000 lb (21,772.434 kilograms)
• Fuel Capacity: 7,000 lb (3,175.147 kilograms) internally

 

Performance

 

• Maximum speed for up to Block 40/42: Mach 2.02 (1,333 mph; 2145.256 kph) at 40,000 feet or 12,192 meters
• Maximum speed for Block 50/52 and 50/52 Plus: Mach 2.05 (1353 mph; 2177.442 kph) at 40,000 feet or 12,192 meters
• Combat range: 360 miles (579.364 kilometers), 2,450 miles (3,942.893 kilometers) with external fuel tanks
• Service Ceiling: Above 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)

 

Cockpit

Spoiler

 

Spoiler

Cockpit photos credited to Wikimedia Commons

Armament

Guns

• M61A1 20mm Cannon Gun System

 

Air-to-Air Missiles

• AIM-7F Sparrow
• AIM-7M Sparrow
• AIM-7P Sparrow

 

• AIM-9P Sidewinder
• AIM-9P-1 Sidewinder
• AIM-9P-2 Sidewinder
• AIM-9P-3 Sidewinder
• AIM-9P-4 Sidewinder
• AIM-9P-5 Sidewinder
• AIM-9N Sidewinder
• AIM-9N-3 Sidewinder
• AIM-9L Sidewinder
• AIM-9M Sidewinder
• AIM-9S Sidewinder

 

• AIM-120 AMRAAM

 

Air-to-Ground Bombs & Rockets

• AGM-65A Maverick
• AGM-65B Maverick
• AGM-65D Maverick
• AGM-65G Maverick

 

• AGM-84D-1 Harpoon

 

• AGM-88B High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile

 

• AGM-154A Joint Standoff Weapons
• AGM-154B Joint Standoff Weapons

 

• GBU-10 Paveway II
• GBU-12 Paveway II
• GBU-24 Paveway III

 

• GBU-15

 

• LAU-3 Rocket Launcher
• LAU-68 Rocket Launcher
• LAU-131 Rocket Launcher
• LAU-5003 Rocket Launcher

 

 

• MK 82 Snakeye
• MK 82 Air
• MK 82 Low-drag General-purpose
• MK 84 Air
• MK 84 Low-drag General-purpose

 

• BLU-109

 

Misc

• AN/APG-68(V), AN/APG-68 V(5), AN/APG-68V(7), AN/APG-68V(8), or AN/APG-68V(9) Radar Set
• Radar Warning Receiver
• Flare and Chaff Countermeasure Set

 

Images

 

Block 25

Spoiler

 

Block 30/32

Spoiler

 

Block 40/42

Spoiler

 

Block 50/52

Spoiler

 

Block 50/52 Plus

Spoiler

All of those F-16C Fighting Falcon photos are credited by f-16.net.

 

Conclusion

Since Gaijin has announced fourth-generation fighter aircraft in development, there is no doubt that the fourth-generation aircraft content will be expanded in the imminent future. Hence, the F-16C Fighting Falcon and its Blocks are worthy enough to make into the suggestions.

Sources

Secondary

• https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104505/f-16-fighting-falcon/
• https://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article5.html
• https://www.f-16.net/downloads/F-16_Handbooks/pacafi21-202.pdf
• https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/ac/f-16.htm
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Dynamics_F-16_Fighting_Falcon
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Dynamics_F-16_Fighting_Falcon_variants

 

Thank you for your time reading my suggestion!

Edited January 18, 2023 by Nostalgistic
Sources list fixed

[super_cacti 1,071]

Open for discussion 

[Milocat 4,857]

+1 with other 4th generation aircraft.

[Fireraid233 4,274]

+1

[MonkeyBussiness 1,228]

AIM-9S ?

On 19/02/2022 at 23:47, Martin_Marauder said:

AIM-9S Sidewinder

 

[Nostalgistic 312]

1 hour ago, MonkeyBussiness said:

AIM-9S

It is a modified AIM-9M with IRCCM (Infra Red Counter Counter Measures) deleted for the Foreign Military Sales customers. I am citing the AIM-9S as one of the historical armaments from the declassified Greek flight manuals of F-16C.

[MonkeyBussiness 1,228]

2 hours ago, Martin_Marauder said:

It is a modified AIM-9M with IRCCM (Infra Red Counter Counter Measures) deleted for the Foreign Military Sales customers. I am citing the AIM-9S as one of the historical armaments from the declassified Greek flight manuals of F-16C.

ow ok ok , but no AIM-9X ?

[Nostalgistic 312]

3 hours ago, MonkeyBussiness said:

ow ok ok , but no AIM-9X ?

The flight manuals I found did not mention AIM-9X. However, the American F-16Cs could use AIM-9X via Mid-Life Upgrade. IIRC, F-16C block 40 and onward with MLU allow them to use the AIM-9Xs.

[bananomet 633]

I recently started grinding USA in hopes Gaijin will add F-16 in the next major update. F-16 Multirole Fighter game from NovaLogic was what got me into flight games in the first place when I was just 7yo lol.

My all time favorite jet. Thanks for the suggestion.

+1

[RanchSauce39 397]

On 05/03/2022 at 02:27, Nostalgistic said:

The flight manuals I found did not mention AIM-9X. However, the American F-16Cs could use AIM-9X via Mid-Life Upgrade. IIRC, F-16C block 40 and onward with MLU allow them to use the AIM-9Xs.

 

To clairify Mid Life Update is a term used for European F16A's modernized  (F16A MLU)

 

however the MLU upgrade program basically followed the similar features of the US CCIP(  Common Configuration Implementation Program) upgrade program which modernized as well as brought to the same standard the F16Cblocks 40/42 and 50/52 in Air force service. those that went through the CCIP  were re designated from F16C to F16CM.

 

https://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article650.html

 

https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/155570/largest-ever-modernization-program-enhances-f-16s/

 

 

 

Anyways both European MLU's and the F16CM's share the same software tape versions

 

 

https://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article2.html

 

 

 

Edited August 10, 2022 by RanchSauce39

[RanchSauce39 397]

also the USAF didnt seem to ever upgrade beyond the APG68V5 radar set.  they when from that and skipped straight to AESA radars.

 

APG68 v6-9 from what i could find were only adopted by foreign F16C users.

 

 

[k_chan_95th 60]

+1

[Borotovas 4,500]

+1

[ÖL 613]

How many counter measures do the f16c have?

[Nostalgistic 312]

24 minutes ago, zzoega said:

How many counter measures do the f16c have?

F-16C uses 2 to 4 ALE-40 dispensers depending on block. If it is 4, the total of countermeasures F-16C can carry is 240 countermeasures.

[ÖL 613]

5 hours ago, Nostalgistic said:

F-16C uses 2 to 4 ALE-40 dispensers depending on block. If it is 4, the total of countermeasures F-16C can carry is 240 countermeasures.

Thanks, that's really nice. 60 cm as on the American version feels very low.  I hope they give the israeli f16a it's extra cm soon.. 

[SturmWerwolf 793]

+1 Definitely needs to be added.